20 tips to help prepare your house for winter

Windows and doors are prime entry points for cold air to sneak into your home. Before it gets too cold, check these spots throughout your house to see if you need to update your weatherstripping. 

No one wants to find out there’s a hole in the roof when snow starts leaking in. Inspect your roof before winter, looking for missing, loose, or damaged shingles. You can use binoculars if you don’t want to get on your roof yourself, or you can hire someone. 

You don’t want to find out your shovel is broken when there’s six inches of snow on your sidewalk. Check your snow removal supplies before the snow arrives and make any necessary adjustments to your equipment arsenal. 

One thing you don’t want this winter is for water to pool anywhere in or on your home. One way to prevent this from happening is to extend your downspouts. Make sure the extensions carry water at least four feet away from your home. 

If you haven’t already, winterize the lawn care supplies you use in the spring and summer. Make sure your mower is ready to sit for several cold months, and organize your string trimmer and leaf blower. 

Sprinklers don’t just require maintenance in the summer. Before the first freeze, drain your sprinklers to release any extra water. This will keep your sprinklers working better for longer. 

You don’t want your spigots freezing on you this winter. Before the first freeze, make sure all of your outdoor spigots are in the proper position for winter. 

Anything in your house related to water needs to be checked before winter, including your sump pump. Make sure you’ve detached any extension hoses from your sump pump’s discharge pipe. 

Your gutters might be spic and span, but it’s always good to check. Gutters that are left clogged all winter could do some serious damage to your home, so make sure they’re clean before winter comes. 

Check your pipes to make sure they’re ready for winter. Look for leaks or corrosion, and if necessary, insulate your pipes. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, have an expert take a look. 

You don’t want critters, snow, or anything else coming into your home through a hole this winter. Before it gets too cold, check for any holes in your home that lead to the exterior. If you find some, get them filled. 

This step might not be necessary, but it could also be vital. Attics are a prime place for your house to lose heat. Insulating it can keep your house warm and your heating bill low. 

If your ceiling fan is oriented for the summer, switch it back to its winter orientation. There should be a button that handles this switch for you. 

If you have loose stone or pavement outside, repair it before it freezes or snow comes. Winter weather will only make the problem worse, and it’ll be easier and more cost-effective to fix when the weather is still warm(ish).

Furnace filters need to be changed regularly — at least once a year. At the very least, check your furnace filter before winter to make sure it’s in working condition. 

If you notice a tree branch that’s falling or close to falling, trim it. Winter storms can knock down loose tree branches in an instant, and you’d rather control where the branches land than have to deal with unwanted fallout. 

If you use a wood-burning fireplace all winter, check to make sure the flue is open and properly swept. Even if you don’t use your wood-burning fireplace, check it out to make sure there are no cracks or obstructions that need to be removed. 

Snow can obscure pavement paths, whether sidewalks or driveways, making removal difficult. Prepare to shovel or push snow by marking your pavement paths to avoid damaging your lawn while searching for hard ground. 

You could wait until your smoke detector wakes you up in the middle of the night to change the battery, or you could get ahead of the game. House fires are more common in the winter months, but they can be stopped before they get out of hand. Make sure your smoke detectors are ready for action. 

Should an emergency happen in the winter, whether because of a fire, snowstorm, or other natural disaster, you want to have a plan. Make one that ensures the safety of your entire family, and be sure everyone knows the plan.